Timur Kuzu
University Place,WA
Summary
Results-driven servant leader with 20+ years of experience advancing student success through innovative program development, mentorship, and strategic leadership. Passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments, leveraging data-driven insights, and cultivating meaningful community partnerships. Adept at budget management, stakeholder engagement, and leading creative initiatives that empower individuals and drive institutional growth.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
STEM Program Director
Highline College
01.2019 - Current
- Created the Annual Highline College STEM Showcase, connecting students with industry and 4-year university partners, focusing on internships, research opportunities, mentorship and career exploration
- Partnered with Microsoft & Global Mentor Initiative to launch a 14-week professional development & mentorship program for STEM students, partnership has expanded to all Highline College students
- Awarded the Community College Research Initiative Grant, creating a pipeline and mentorship program for Highline College engineering students transferring to UW Tacoma
- Led and organized student participation in the 2023 SACNAS NDiSTEM & 2025 NSBE Conferences, facilitating networking with 20,000+ peers and 1,000 STEM employers
- Established the Highline ASEM Program to provide advising, transfer guidance, and career preparation for International and Running Start Students
- Revamped the MESA Academic Excellence Workshop Program, increasing workshops for STEM courses with low pass rates, supporting first-generation and underrepresented students
- Awarded STEM Core Grant in partnership with Growth Sector & Stanford University, providing internship, mentorship, and job skills training
- Developed and annual STEM Webinar & Info Session, pairing faculty and industry professionals to discuss various topics like empowerment, imposter syndrome, implicit bias, and research opportunities
- Managed the MESA annual budget, correcting a 10-year deficit and increasing funding for student opportunities
- Expanded the role of MESA Student Ambassadors, integrating transferable job skills into their responsibilities
- Led a MESA branding and marketing overhaul, resulting in a 300% increase in program enrollment over three years
- Served as an active member of the Latinx Council, Global Leadership Initiative Committee, Academic Standards Policy Committee, and Faculty Tenure Review Committee
- Organized and led annual industry trips to organizations such as Fred Hutch, Boeing, Microsoft, NOAA, Kaiser Permanente, Gates Foundation and more
- Created a Student Advisory Committee focused on improving campus culture, policies, and student mental health resources
Veterans Resource Manager
Pierce College
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Renovated the Veteran Resource Center, expanding workspace by 50% and centralizing administrative staff to improve efficiency and accessibility
- Organized the first annual Pierce College Community Resource Fair, emphasizing professional development, veteran services, and career support opportunities
- Created a District-Wide Book Lending Library for veterans, securing $10K in annual funding for new books
- Designed and implemented faculty training materials on effectively supporting student veterans with PTSD and transition challenges
- Reestablished the Pierce College Student Veterans of America Chapter, increasing grant and scholarship opportunities for over 2,600 military veterans, active duty personnel, and dependents
- Aligned the veterans' program with VA Principles of Excellence practices, contributing to Pierce College's 'Best for Vets' nomination in 2017 and 2018
Commandant Joint Base Leadership School, Aerospace Maintenance Section Chief
U.S. Air Force
01.1994 - 01.2017
- Directed aircraft maintenance operations for 320 military, civilian, and Air Reserve technicians, overseeing 26 C-17 aircraft valued at $5.3 billion
- Tracked employee career development, validated staff performance reports, and provided mentorship and guidance to enhance workforce performance
- Diagnosed and repaired maintenance discrepancies by analyzing wiring schematics, technical publications, and Interactive Electronics Technical Manuals (IETMs) to ensure operational readiness
- Applied critical thinking and data analysis to recommend maintenance actions based on unscheduled engine removals, engine monitoring system data, and scheduled engine forecasts
- Directed over 49,000 successful flying missions, overseeing the transport of 246 tons of cargo and 795,000 passengers, ensuring mission readiness, security clearances, and aircraft maintenance logistics
- Prepared daily briefings for Air Force Forces Central Command, analyzing data from 744 aircraft across 7 allied nations at 24 installations in Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Horn of Africa
- Compiled and analyzed critical aircraft maintenance data, tracking over 10,000 daily actions, and presented findings for mission-critical decision-making
- Assembled, disassembled, tested, and inspected jet engines for five different aircraft types, performing maintenance both on-wing and in-shop
Education
Masters of Education - Educational Leadership
Eastern Washington University
Bachelors of Science - Environmental Science, Management, Technology
American Military University
Associates of Applied Science - Instructor of Military Science and Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Associates of Applied Science - Aerospace Maintenance & Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Skills
- Program & Student Success Management
- Leadership & Team Development
- Project & Operations Management
- Continuous Improvement & Strategic Planning
- Assessment & Compliance
- Multicultural & Academic Advising
- Educational Platforms
- Collaboration & Data Tools
- Process Improvement
- Training and Development
Certification
Certified Manager - James Madison University
Timeline
STEM Program Director
Highline College
01.2019 - Current
Veterans Resource Manager
Pierce College
01.2017 - 01.2019
Commandant Joint Base Leadership School, Aerospace Maintenance Section Chief
U.S. Air Force
01.1994 - 01.2017
Bachelors of Science - Environmental Science, Management, Technology
American Military University
Associates of Applied Science - Instructor of Military Science and Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Associates of Applied Science - Aerospace Maintenance & Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Certified Manager - James Madison University
Masters of Education - Educational Leadership
Eastern Washington University
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